A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Rodney Joseph Stutes, Sr., age 89, of Gary, TX, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church in Carthage with Father Michael Adams officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow with military honors at Corinth Cemetery in Shelby County, TX. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with a rosary to be recited at 7p.m. Mr. Stutes passed away on Friday evening, April 8, 2011, at his home near Gary surrounded by his loving family and close friends.

Rodney Joseph Stutes, Sr. was born on Oct. 31, 1921, in Crowley, LA to Horace and Alicia Marie Dupuis Stutes. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and was honorably discharged. Mr. Stutes was a member of the American Legion Post #345 in Carthage. He married Mattie Ozell Moreland on April 6, 1946 in Houston and on Wednesday they celebrated their 65th anniversary with a small gathering of family and friends. Mr. Stutes worked in grain storage for the U.S. Government in Houston until his retirement in 1982. He was a longtime member of the St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church and was also a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Carthage. He was a loving father and a devoted husband. Mr. Stutes was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Rodney Stutes, Jr.; one brother, Kerney Stutes; and two sisters, Leola Ihrig and Lydia Hutchinson.

Mr. Stutes is survived by his wife, Ozell Stutes of Gary; four sons, David Ray Stutes of Cleveland, Mike Stutes and wife Tracy of Gary, Wesley Stutes and wife Lynn of Gary, and Kenny Stutes of Trinity; one daughter, Beverly Ann Stutes Coburn and husband "Sparky" of Cleveland; one daughter-in-law, Patrice Stutes of Spring; eleven grandchildren, Brian Stutes, Jennifer Hess, Angela Stutes, Burke Stutes, Brandon Smith, Jessica Stutes, Brandie Best, Michelle Hailey, Courtney Stutes, Keith Abramski, and Alexis Freddett; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers are Brian Stutes, Brandon Smith, Ricky Stutes, Roger Leasman, Donald Stutes, Robert Moreland, Weston Hulsey, and Jeff Cecil.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are John Sifuentes, Larry Moreland, Burk Moreland, James Irwin, and Sparky Coburn.

If desired, memorials may be made to St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church, 4088 NW Loop, Carthage, TX 75633 or Heart's Way Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.